exist†trace announces new album Royal Straight Magic

Japanese all-female rock band exist†trace has announced the title and release date of their new album Royal Straight Magic, due for release November 16.

The six-song EP will be the follow-up to exist†trace’s March release This Is Now. Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter miko explains that the title represents the strength of their band’s combined forces. “When these five cards, the members of exist†trace, get together, we create the strongest hand, the best magic!” The theme of inner strength is central to the album’s concept. “Miracles do not just come to you when you wait for them. But, if you take a chance with your courage high, opportunities will always come to you. I want this album to give a strong push to people who are hesitating to step forward.”

exist†trace has also announced the “Survival March” tour in November, teaming up with popular rock groups BAND-MAID, Disqualia, Last May Jaguar, GALMET, and Soundwitch. The band will cap off the year with three straight one-man performances titled “Royal Straight Magical Show” in Osaka (December 17), Nagoya (December 18), and Tokyo (January 9).

“We’re already planning new things and fun surprises for our fans on this tour, even while we’re recording the songs for Royal Straight Magic,” miko said. “And we’ll continue to create moments together when we meet you at the live shows. Without a doubt, this will be a culmination of all our feelings from 2016. We’re going to make this a most special and magical time. We’ll wait for you to join us from overseas!”

Along with multiple tours of Japan, exist†trace has performed twice in Europe, making appearances in Berlin, Helsinki, Moscow, Paris, London, and Barcelona. In 2009, the band performed at the 2-day V-ROCK FESTIVAL in Chiba, Japan.

In November 2010, exist†trace released their album TWIN GATE in Japan and America, followed by their first American live show for 3000 fans at Sakura-Con in Seattle in April 2011. In June of the same year, they made their major-label debut with the TRUE EP on Tokuma Japan, and released a second 5-song EP THE LAST DAYBREAK in October 2011.

In March 2012, exist†trace performed their first live-house tour of America, playing New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh (Hard Rock Cafe), and a special 1000-person show at Japanese culture event Tekkoshocon.

In April 2012, exist†trace’s “I feel you” was selected as the main theme for Olympic champion Nadeshiko Japan’s official guidebook. Their first full-length major-label album VIRGIN was released May 23, 2012.

In June 2012, over 27,000 viewers from around the world tuned in to Nico Nico Douga to watch exist†trace’s live-show event “Just Like a Virgin” from Tokyo’s renowned live house Shibuya O-WEST, which was later released on DVD and screened in theaters worldwide by Live Viewing Japan.

In June 2013, exist†trace returned to America for the third time in three years to perform at A-Kon in Dallas, TX. Their next single, DIAMOND, was released in July 2013, followed by a worldwide digital release on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify. Spiral Daisakusen was released in May 2014, and the band launched their international fan club ARCHANGEL DIAMOND the same month.

exist†trace released WORLD MAKER in September 2014, and spent the following year concentrating on touring and songwriting. The band released two “one-coin” singles in 2015, “Twin Wings” and “Shout Out”, available only at live shows in Japan and through Archangel Diamond. The 6-track mini-album THIS IS NOW was released in March 2016, which included “Neo Japanese Heroine”, the theme song for the Yahoo! Sports simulcast of the Japan Women’s Football League (Nadeshiko League).

exist†trace’s next 6-song mini-album, Royal Straight Magic, will be released in November 2016.